Brassiere

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a brassiere, comprising; two mutually coupled cups, two back fastening straps which each connect to a different longitudinal side of one or the two different cups and which can be coupled releasably to each other on the sides remote from the cups, and two shoulder straps which each engage on a different upper side of one of the two different cups.

The present invention relates to a brassiere according to the preambleof claim 1.

Such a brassiere (also referred to as bra and bikini top) has been knownfor a long time. When engaging in vigorous physical exertion,particularly exertion wherein the female body undergoes abrupt changesin speed, a conventional brassiere usually provides insufficientsupport, or at least a limited support such that the breasts can beginto move in irksome manner because of their mass inertia. This isparticularly the case during for instance sport and dancing. Diversebrassieres therefore exist which provide an increased measure ofsupport. Such sports bras are generally characterized in that they havean extra-tight fit compared to conventional brassieres, optionally incombination with a non-releasable coupling of the back fastening straps.A popular type of the already existing sports bra thus has to be put onand taken off over the head. The drawback of existing brassieres whichprovide an increased measure of support to the breasts is that they aregenerally less easy to put on and take off, and furthermore do not oftensucceed in providing the required level of support. This is of coursemore of a problem in the case of larger cup sizes.

The American patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,236 describes a brassierecomprising two mutually coupled cups, two back fastening straps whichconnect to a longitudinal side of one of the two different cups andwhich can be releasably coupled to each other on the sides remote fromthe cups, two shoulder straps which each engage on a top side of one ofthe two different cups, which shoulder straps connect to a back panel onthe sides remote from the cups. One of two back panel straps connects ineach case to two opposite longitudinal sides of the back panel, whereinthe back panel straps are releasably coupled on the side remote from theback panel. While the brassiere described in this document is easy toput on and take off, the wearer comfort of the brassiere leavessomething to be desired. When the back panel straps are firmly tightened(tensioned), a great force will thus be exerted on the breasts, whichwill result in considerable deformation (squeezing) of the breasts, andso little wearer comfort. The present invention has for its object toprovide an improved brassiere of the type stated in the preamble whichcombines a high measure of support to the breasts with wearer comfort.

The present invention provides for this purpose a brassiere as accordingto claim 1. For a further elucidation of the concept of the presentinvention the individual components of the brassiere and theirassociated functionality will be discussed. The cups are designed suchthat they can each at least partially engage round a breast. Thebest-fitting cup size will be chosen subject to the size of specificbreasts. The cups are urged against the breasts with the back fasteningstraps; the back fastening straps are mutually connected at the back bymeans of a suitable closing mechanism. The shoulder straps hold the cupsat the desired height and provide a significant part of the forcesrequired to support the breasts. The back wrap is a component known inthe prior art; in the above mentioned publication however, the shoulderstraps generally connect to the back fastening straps, while in thebrassiere according to the present invention the back wrap is a separatecomponent of the brassiere which on the contrary does not go togetherwith the back fastening straps. The back wrap lies against the back of awearer of the present brassiere and is held in place by, among others,the two back wrap straps. The back wrap straps come from the back to thefront side of the wearer such that they can be coupled to each other(most advantageously under the cups).

The back wrap straps now make it possible to support the shoulder strapsin simple manner without the forces running through the shoulder strapsbeing exerted on the cups; a specific positioning of the breasts canthus be realized by means of the cups without considerable force beingexerted on the breasts, this being undesirable because of wearercomfort. In the present invention the force exerted by the shoulderstraps is after all not transmitted wholly through the cups. This isbecause armhole parts are arranged for this purpose on the cups (n.b. onthe arm side of each of the two cups). A substantial part of the forceswill now be transmitted through these armhole parts between a shoulderstrap and a back fastening strap without the relevant cup hereby beingloaded. When the supporting action of the shoulder straps and theposition in which they position the cups are varied in simple manner bytensioning the back wrap straps more tightly or less tightly (i.e. theworking length of the co-acting back wrap straps is variable), thechanging play of forces will be “perceived” particularly by the armholeparts and not, or at least to a much lesser extent, by the cups and thebreasts held by the cups. A significant advantage here is that forcestransmitted through the shoulder straps can now be absorbed very wellwhile the supporting action can be very readily adjusted by making theco-acting back wrap straps (easily accessible on the front side of thewearer) longer or shorter. The brassiere according to the invention isalso easy to put on and take off. Particularly after great exertion hasbeen made the brassiere can be unfastened on two sides, i.e. the backfastening straps and the back wrap straps can be unfastened from eachother such that it is no longer necessary to displace close-fittingparts of the brassiere over the (transpiring) body. The brassiereaccording to the invention can therefore be applied particularlyadvantageously while engaging in vigorous physical exertion. Thebrassiere as described can further be given an extremely comfortableform; wearing thereof does not therefore need result in any hindrance tothe wearer, while this advantage is combined with the option of a veryspecific positioning of the breasts. The armhole part thus prevents tooheavy loading of the cups locally and can engage on a cup on a largepart of a longitudinal side and thus further contribute toward anincreased measure of support for the breasts.

In a preferred variant of the brassiere the back wrap is manufactured atleast partially from an elastic material. The direction in which theback wrap particularly advantageously has to be elastic is in adirection which connects the engaging position of a back wrap strap onthe back wrap to the engaging position of the associated shoulder strapon the back wrap. Such an elasticity can absorb shocks during support ofthe breasts by the shoulder straps and can thus be compared to a“damping” built into the brassiere. The elasticity must not be too greatthat it thus reduces the action of supporting the breasts too much.Other components of the brassiere can also advantageously bemanufactured from an elastic material, such as more particularly theback fastening straps and the shoulder straps. Other components are onthe other hand preferably manufactured with a less elastic ornon-elastic material; specifically the cups and the back wrap straps areenvisaged here. A further advantage of applying resilient (elastic)material is that this results in a good fitting of the brassiere on thebody.

Both armhole parts are preferably embodied such that they areforce-transmitting during use. This is understood to mean that thetransmission of force between a back fastening strap and an associatedshoulder strap is substantially not transmitted to the associated cups.Undesirable (excessive or considerable) deformation of the cups, alsoresulting in a deformation of the breasts held in the cups, can thus beprevented. Both armhole parts may for this purpose be given only limitedresilience, or even none at all.

It is noted in respect of all materials used that they canadvantageously be manufactured from breathing and/or moisture-absorbingfabrics. Use can of course also be made of layered materials in order tothus enable the function of the individual material layers to beoptimized for their specific use.

It is also advantageous if a centre line through a shoulder strap and acentre line through the associated back wrap strap, both at the positionof engagement on the back wrap, enclose a mutual angle which is greaterthan 90°, preferably between 100 and 130°. A desired play of forces canhereby be obtained, as a result of which a substantial part of theforces exerted by the shoulder straps on the cups (and breasts) aretransmitted via the back wrap to the back wrap straps. This considerablyenhances wearer comfort, particularly in circumstances whereconsiderable forces are transmitted through the shoulder straps.

It is also desirable that on the sides remote from the back wrap theback wrap straps are located in a coupled active position at a distanceof less than 2 centimetres from the underside of the cups. In this waythe back wrap straps are used not only to absorb a considerable part ofthe forces transmitted through the shoulder straps, but also function asa support for the cups (breasts).

In yet another alternative embodiment variant the back fastening strapsare permanently connected to each other on the sides remote from thecups; they can even be embodied as a single material part. Putting onand taking off the brassiere will be less easy with such a construction,but the embodiment thereof is also simpler. This embodiment variant ofthe brassiere according to the invention differs to a lesser extent fromthe existing sports bras than the embodiment variant with a releasablecoupling of the back fastening straps, but is however still verydifferent. The presence of the back wrap with the back wrap straps fixedon two opposite longitudinal sides also makes this brassiere whollydifferent from the existing one. The advantages of an improved supportand a readily adjustable support (by means of adjusting the coupling ofthe back wrap straps) also result in this embodiment variant realizingthe advantages sought after according to the invention.

The back wrap straps can preferably be coupled in a plurality ofrelative positions on the sides remote from the back wrap. The couplingof the back wrap straps can for instance consist of a velcro fasteningand/or an at least single hook-eye fastening. Such fastenings are easyto operate, certainly on the front of the female body. A velcrofastening even makes possible a continually adjustable length, so thatexactly the correct support of the shoulder straps can be adjusted.Conversely, a hook-eye fastening has the advantage that it can bereadily fastened in fixed discrete positions and that it is littlesusceptible to wear.

In yet another embodiment variant the cups can be coupled in mutuallyreleasable manner. In addition to the advantage that it thus becomessimple to (temporarily) leave clear one or both breasts, for instancefor the purpose of breast-feeding, the brassiere can thus also bedivided into two completely separate components. This can beadvantageous in the manufacture, washing and repair of the brassiere.Furthermore, brassiere parts of different sizes can be combined asrequired, for instance in the case the brassiere is used with anon-symmetrical female body.

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of thenon-limitative exemplary embodiments shown in the following figuresHerein:

FIGS. 1A-1D show four different perspective views of a brassiereaccording to the present invention,

FIG. 2 shows the brassiere as in FIGS. 1A-1D in removed position, and

FIGS. 3A-E show five successive stages in putting on the brassiere as inthe foregoing figures.

FIGS. 1A-1D show a brassiere 1 on a display FIG. 2. Brassiere 1 isprovided with two cups 3, 4, to the longitudinal sides of which connectrespective armhole parts 5, 6. On the top side the armhole parts 5, 6transpose into respective shoulder straps 7, 8. The cups are mutuallyconnected via a middle front part 9 while a chest strap 10, less clearlydiscernible in these figures, is situated under cups 3, 4. Shoulderstraps 7, 8 transpose into a back wrap 11, this back wrap 11 in turntransposing on the longitudinal sides into back wrap straps 12, 13. Backwrap straps 12, 13 are mutually connected on the front side with avelcro fastening 14 such that the supporting force exerted by shoulderstraps 7, 8 on cups 3, 4 can be regulated. Chest strap 10 transposes onthe two opposite longitudinal sides into back fastening straps 15, 16.These back fastening straps 15, 16 are releasably coupled on the back ofdisplay FIG. 2 with a back fastening 17 (of the hook-eye type). Theparts of brassiere 1 shown darker in this FIG. are manufactured from anelastic material, and the lighter parts are manufactured from a materialwhich is less elastic or not elastic at all. It is noted that thisrelates only to a single embodiment variant; it is possible to opt fordiffering choices of material or alternative design. It is finally notedthat shoulder straps 7, 8 are still provided with more traditionallength adjusting means 18, 19.

All the stated parts can be seen clearly in the divested brassiere 1shown in FIG. 2. It will be apparent that being able to fully unfastenthe back fastening straps 15, 16 and back wrap straps 12, 13 simplifiesputting on and taking off brassiere 1. Velcro fastening 14 has now beentaken apart into two velcro fastening parts 14A and 14B, while backfastening 17 has been unfastened into two back fastening parts 17A and17B.

FIGS. 3A-3E show the successive stages of putting on brassiere 1. InFIG. 3A a model 20 shows the placing of back wrap 11 over the head 21,whereby shoulder straps 7, 8 can be placed on shoulders 22, 23 on eitherside of head 21. Cups 3, 4 are now situated in front of the breasts andback wrap 11 is situated at the back of model 20. In FIGS. 3B and 3C theback fastening straps 15, 16 are tightened such that back fasteningparts 17A and 17B can be coupled to each other. Once the back fasteningparts 17A and 17B have been coupled, the back wrap straps 12, 13 can, asshown in FIG. 3D, be moved to the chest side and there fixed relative toeach other by coupling the velcro fastening parts 14A and 14B at adesired relative position. This final stage of putting on brassiere 1 isshown in FIG. 3E, where tightening of the velcro fastening parts 14A and14B is almost completed.

1. A brassiere, comprising: two mutually coupled cups, two backfastening straps which each connect to a different longitudinal side ofone of the two different cups and which can be coupled releasably toeach other on the sides remote from the cups, and two shoulder strapswhich each engage on a different upper side of one of the two differentcups, wherein both shoulder straps are connected on the sides remotefrom the cups to a back wrap, to which back wrap one of two back wrapstraps connects in each case on two opposite longitudinal sides, andwherein the back wrap straps can be releasably coupled to each other onthe sides remote from the back wrap, wherein an armhole part connects tothe two cups on each of the sides remote from each other, and that eachof the two back fastening straps, just as each of the two shoulderstraps, engages on an armhole part associated with the relevant backfastening strap and the relevant shoulder strap.
 2. The brassiere asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the back wrap is manufactured at leastpartially from an elastic material.
 3. The brassiere as claimed in claim2, wherein the back wrap is elastic in a direction which connects theengaging position of a back wrap strap on the back wrap to the engagingposition of the associated shoulder strap on the back wrap.
 4. Thebrassiere as claimed in claim 1, wherein both armhole parts areforce-transmitting such that the transmission of force between a backfastening strap and an associated shoulder strap is substantially nottransmitted to the associated cups.
 5. The brassiere as claimed in claim1, wherein a centre line through a shoulder strap and a centre linethrough the associated back wrap strap, both at the position ofengagement on the back wrap, enclose a mutual angle which is greaterthan 90°, preferably between 100 and 130°.
 6. The brassiere as claimedin claim 1, wherein on the sides remote from the back wrap the back wrapstraps are located in a coupled active position at a distance of lessthan 2 centimeters from the underside of the cups.
 7. The brassiere asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the back fastening straps are permanentlyconnected to each other on the sides remote from the cups.
 8. Thebrassiere as claimed in any of claim 1, wherein the back wrap straps canbe coupled in a plurality of relative positions on the sides remote fromthe back wrap.
 9. The brassiere as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backwrap straps can be coupled with a Velcro fastening on the sides remotefrom the back wrap.
 10. The brassiere as claimed in claim 1, wherein theback wrap straps can be coupled with at least a single hook-eyefastening on the sides remote from the back wrap.
 11. The brassiere asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the cups can be coupled in mutuallyreleasable manner.
 12. The brassiere as claimed in claim 1, wherein thecups are connected via a middle front part.
 13. The brassiere as claimedin claim 1, wherein the cups connect on the underside to a chest strap,which chest strap transposes on both opposite longitudinal sides intothe two back fastening straps.